Chapter 4 – “Captain Leo!!”
“Excuse me.”
“Come in.”
I had followed Elga to one of the most impressive doors in the entire building.
When she knocked, a man’s voice answered from inside.
It was deep—low but smooth, with a gentle warmth to it.
“Elga, thank you for bringing Lady Sibel.”
“Of course.”
…Did she just say captain?
The moment I heard that word, my whole body reacted.
“Nice to meet you. You must be tired from your long journey. Please, have a seat.”
When we entered, the man sitting behind a large desk stood up and walked toward us.
He had jet-black hair, a bright smile, and eyes the color of a clear blue sky. He gestured politely toward the sofa across from his desk.
***
The captain!! The captain himself!!
He was tall—so tall I had to look up, at least two heads taller than me.
Even through his white-trimmed uniform, I could clearly see his well-built physique.
A sword hung at his waist, his legs were long and powerful, his shoulders broad—he was so handsome!
This was a real knight!
It was the first time I’d ever seen one so close.
Don’t faint, Sibel. Hold it together!
“Nice to meet you. My name is Sibel Vias. Thank you for allowing me to work here starting today. I may not be perfect, but please take care of me!”
To think that I could meet the knight captain himself on my very first day…
Ah, I could die happy right now!
…No, not yet. There are still so many wonderful things ahead!
I might be excited, but I’m still a count’s daughter and the former fiancée of a prince. I did go through princess education, after all. Even if I’m secretly swooning inside, I can still behave like a proper lady on the outside.
“Haha, you’re quite an amusing one,” the captain said with a laugh.
“Eh?”
Did I say something strange?
The captain’s well-shaped face softened as he smiled.
“Call me Leo. No need to be so formal.”
“…Leo-sama?”
Elga and I sat on one sofa, while Captain Leo sat opposite us, relaxed and at ease.
“You don’t need to add -sama,” he said.
“But…”
“I don’t like stiff manners. You’ve probably realized already what kind of place this is. To me, the knights of the First Order, the staff who take care of us—all of them are my comrades, like family. So let’s keep things simple.”
“…Understood, Leo-san.”
He smiled warmly, clearly pleased.
Such a kind smile… when was the last time someone looked at me like that?
And he’s not just anyone—he’s a real knight, the commander of the knights!
Thank you, God.
Leo-san must really care for his subordinates and everyone around him. He’s nothing like Prince Marx, who treated his attendants like servants.
Ah… my admiration for the knight order just keeps growing!
“I’ll introduce you to everyone later,” Leo said.
“Perhaps during dinner?” Elga suggested.
“That sounds good,” he nodded.
After our meeting, Elga guided me through the building.
She showed me the knights’ quarters, the dining hall, the training yard, the lounge, and even the great hall.
It was all so large that I thought I might get lost before I got used to it.
“When dinner’s ready, I’ll come get you,” Elga said after checking the time. “Until then, you should rest for a bit.”
But they said they were short on help. If there was something I could do, I wanted to start right away!
“If there’s anything I can help with, please let me do it!”
“…But aren’t you tired?”
“Not at all! I’ve been sitting in a carriage this whole time.”
“That’s why—you must be tired from sitting so long.”
“Why would I be? Sitting means resting, doesn’t it? I feel perfectly fine!”
“…”
Right now, I was overflowing with energy.
Leo-san said he’d introduce me to the knights during dinner, and I was too excited to just sit still and wait.
“…Alright then,” Elga said at last. “Would you like to help with dinner preparations?”
“With pleasure!”
“…You really are a strange noble lady.”
“Am I?”
Elga sighed softly, but I followed her with light, eager steps toward the kitchen, my heart dancing with anticipation.
